Snackz logo
Propaganda

Jacques Ellul

368 Pages
1965

Propaganda

Vintage

Below is just an AI summary! If you really want to learn something:

โšก Free 3min Summary

Propaganda - Summary

"Propaganda" by Jacques Ellul is a profound examination of the pervasive influence of propaganda in modern society. Ellul, a distinguished French philosopher and resistance fighter, provides a comprehensive analysis of how propaganda operates, its psychological underpinnings, and its societal impacts. This book is a critical read for anyone interested in understanding the mechanisms of manipulation and control that threaten democracy and individual autonomy.

Key Ideas

1

The Inevitability of Propaganda in Technological Societies

Ellul argues that propaganda is an unavoidable consequence of technologically advanced societies. The sheer volume and complexity of information in such societies necessitate simplified narratives, which propaganda provides. This creates an environment ripe for manipulation, regardless of the propagandist's intent, making propaganda a fundamental aspect of modern life.

2

Propaganda as a Sociological Phenomenon

Moving beyond psychological interpretations, Ellul emphasizes the sociological dimensions of propaganda. He explains how propaganda exploits existing social divisions, beliefs, and anxieties, rather than creating them. By weaponizing these pre-existing conditions, propaganda fosters an illusion of unity within targeted groups while exacerbating societal fragmentation, thus deepening social divides.

3

The Destruction of Individual and Collective Freedom

Ellul paints a stark picture of the ultimate consequences of propaganda โ€“ the erosion of individual critical thinking and the undermining of democratic processes. By shaping opinions, beliefs, and desires, propaganda fosters conformity and obedience, threatening the very foundations of a free and just society. This highlights the urgent need for critical thinking and media literacy to combat its effects.

FAQ's

"Propaganda" by Jacques Ellul focuses on the pervasive influence of propaganda in modern society, examining its psychological underpinnings, societal impacts, and how it operates to manipulate and control public opinion.

Ellul argues that propaganda is inevitable in technological societies due to the sheer volume and complexity of information, which necessitates simplified narratives. This environment makes it easy for propaganda to manipulate public perception, regardless of the propagandist's intent.

Ellul emphasizes the sociological dimensions of propaganda, explaining that it exploits existing social divisions, beliefs, and anxieties rather than creating them. This approach highlights how propaganda can deepen social divides by weaponizing pre-existing conditions.

Enjoyed the sneak peak? Get the full summary!

Explore Books

They Called Us Exceptional

They Called Us Exceptional

And Other Lies That Raised Us

Prachi Gupta

289 Pages
2024
The Cost of Hope

The Cost of Hope

A Memoir

Amanda Bennett

241 Pages
2012
Weather For Dummies

Weather For Dummies

John D. Cox

384 Pages
2021
Homecoming

Homecoming

Diane Dakers

115 Pages
2014
Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong

Rachel Koestler-Grack

52 Pages
2009
We Do Not Part

We Do Not Part

A Novel

Han Kang

0 Pages
2025
The New Class War: Saving Democracy from the Managerial Elite

The New Class War: Saving Democracy from the Managerial Elite

Lind, Michael

224 Pages
2020
Seveneves

Seveneves

A Novel

Neal Stephenson

880 Pages
2015
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters: The Graphic Novel (Book 2)

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters: The Graphic Novel (Book 2)

Rick Riordan

135 Pages
2014
Let Us Go Then, You And I

Let Us Go Then, You And I

Louis Peddicord

296 Pages
2011
Whiskey Tender

Whiskey Tender

A Memoir

Deborah Taffa

349 Pages
2024
Pete the Cat: 5-Minute Pete the Cat Stories

Pete the Cat: 5-Minute Pete the Cat Stories

Includes 12 Groovy Stories!

James Dean

0 Pages
2017
Good Omens

Good Omens

The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

434 Pages
2011
Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques

Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques

A Contemporary Guide to the Ancient Investment Techniques of the Far East, Second Edition

Steve Nison

321 Pages
2001
She Comes First

She Comes First

The Thinking Man's Guide to Pleasuring a Woman

Ian Kerner

0 Pages
2019
The Human Stain

The Human Stain

Philip Roth

405 Pages
2010
Bright Signals

Bright Signals

A History of Color Television

Susan Murray

320 Pages
2018
Disability Visibility

Disability Visibility

First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century

Alice Wong

338 Pages
2020
The Pirate Prince

The Pirate Prince

Gaelen Foley

416 Pages
2006
No B.S. Direct Marketing

No B.S. Direct Marketing

The Ultimate No Holds Barred Kick Butt Take No Prisoners Direct Marketing for Non-Direct Marketing Businesses

Dan S. Kennedy

196 Pages
2013
The Biz

The Biz

The Basic Business, Legal, and Financial Aspects of the Film Industry in a Digital World

Schuyler M. Moore

0 Pages
2018
Border as Method, or, the Multiplication of Labor

Border as Method, or, the Multiplication of Labor

Sandro Mezzadra, Brett Neilson

380 Pages
2013
The Intelligent Investor, Rev. Ed

The Intelligent Investor, Rev. Ed

The Definitive Book on Value Investing

Benjamin Graham

642 Pages
2009
The Wretched of the Earth

The Wretched of the Earth

Frantz Fanon

328 Pages
2007
Age as Disease

Age as Disease

Anti-Aging Technologies, Sites and Practices

David-Jack Fletcher

349 Pages
2021
Crocodile on the Sandbank

Crocodile on the Sandbank

Miss Marple crossed with Indiana Jones!

Elizabeth Peters

289 Pages
2011
The Lorax

The Lorax

Dr. Seuss

72 Pages
2013
Pedro Pรกramo

Pedro Pรกramo

Rulfo, Juan, Weatherford, Douglas J., Mรกrquez, Gabriel Garcรญa

144 Pages
2023
What Matters Now

What Matters Now

How to Win in a World of Relentless Change, Ferocious Competition, and Unstoppable Innovation

Gary Hamel

308 Pages
2012
The Great Transition

The Great Transition

A Novel

Nick Fuller Googins

352 Pages
2023

Let's find the best book for you!

Get book summaries directly into your inbox!

Join more than 10,000 readers in our newsletter

Snackz book

Discover the Snackz AI catalogue

Snackz logo

The right book at the right time will change your life.

Get the books directly into your inbox!

โœ… New Release

โœ… Book Recommendation

โœ… Book Summaries

Copyright 2023-2025. All rights reserved.